A Detour

Instead of driving 7+ hours yesterday to Marathon, TX, for the beginning of my trans-pecos journey, I drove 2 hours to the world-famed Houston, TX, Medical Center, where miracles of healing sometimes happen. And where prayed-for miracles sometimes are answered in ways we don't expect. 

That's how it was this day. 

A 3 year old son of parishioners in my friend's parish drowned Saturday night. He was revived after many long minutes, then put on life support, and died last night. 

So my journey of miles west, became a journey to and from Sunday church services and trips to the medical center, over three days. where I spent my time being present for those in anguishing sorrow, rather than having a massage and dining in high style. 

Even though there was not a miracle of recovery for this boy, in dying he gave life to others through "life gifts."

There was a brief respite from being present at the hospital late afternoon on Monday. 

Monday was my friend's birthday; a milestone. A big deal. One of the reasons for the road trip. Adding another layer of disappointment. 

After many long and intense hours at the hospital, we set off to find a meal. We ended up at a new restaurant we both had wanted to try. "State of Grace."

And grace was what we found. As it was between lunch and dinner hours, we could only be seated at the bar. And only choose from a very limited menu. 

Limited in choices, but unlimited in deliciousness. Club Sodas flowed frequently. We ordered all three offerings on the off menu. 

When the bartender, Ed, heard Beth's story of such grief, and that it was her birthday, he declared he was going to take care of her. And me too.

We had wonderful conversation with Ed. We heard some of his stories. And he shared a favorite quote of Samuel Johnson. "The true measure of a man [person] is how he [they] treat someone who can do him [them] absolutely no good." A lovely way to describe what the three of us were doing this day. 

With that, birthday cakes and cupcakes and ice cream arrived. And champagne for my friend. Blessings indeed. 

A further detour took us back to the hospital after we dined,  where life everlasting began for Judah, and new life was given to others. 

Traveling mercies.